The essence of Christmas according to the General Chairperson of the Communion of Churches in Indonesia (PGI) Pastor Jacklevyn Frits Manuputty is simplicity. The 2024 Christmas celebration with the theme "Return to Bethlehem", he said, also contains the meaning of perfect simplicity. God who comes in the form of a small baby is a symbol of simplicity.

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The Christmas theme that invites people to return to the true essence of Christmas is very relevant to the current situation and conditions. "In its journey, Christmas has experienced an extraordinary shift. And that shifts us from the true nature of Christmas which should bring us perfect joy. That we are cared for by God who is in solidarity and takes part in our appearance. This is something that anchors our joy and gratitude at Christmas. Build it in a contemplative attitude and we express it in simple and meaningful relationships with others in need," he said.

Pastor Jacky Manuputty - as he is often called - criticized those who forget the essence of Christmas and tend to prioritize artificial things. "Don't let us get caught up in the noise and commercialization of Christmas which makes people only noisy and lose the true meaning of Christmas," he reminded.

In addition, concern for the environment and surrounding situations must also be implemented in everyday life. This, continued Jacky, is what Christianity has practiced since the early days of its presence. "At that time the pandemic occurred in the Roman Empire, many residents were displaced. The role of Christians in providing assistance is recorded in history, even when the church was in a difficult position. That is the basic principle held by the church," he said.

In several areas affected by disasters in West Java recently and other areas, the PGI through its special division immediately moved to provide assistance. "We are not alone, we also work together and network with other organizations, even those of different faiths, to help our brothers and sisters affected by the disaster," said Jacklevyn Frits Manuputty to Edy Suherli, Bambang Eros, and Dandi Juniar from VOI who met him at the PGI office, Salemba Raya Street, Central Jakarta, Friday, December 20. Here is the full excerpt.

How does the PGI prepare the congregation for Christmas this year, especially in maintaining the spirit of togetherness amidst global challenges?

We have no special preparations to welcome Christmas this year. The reason is, the celebration of Christmas in 2024 is more or less the same as the previous year. Except during the COVID-19 pandemic, the preparations were more specific. In addition to some coming in limited numbers, we also held a bold celebration for those who could not attend. So, for this year, our Christmas celebration is as usual. Because our office friends also celebrate Christmas in their respective churches, in the office we hold a small celebration like Advent Sunday which is held before the holidays. We provide Christmas messages to the congregation through churches that are members of the PGI.

The world is currently not doing well. The Middle East war, Russia and Ukraine have not stopped fighting for two years, and East Asia is also tense. How do we respond to this situation in the context of celebrating Christmas?

Globally, that is the condition, but nationally there are also some turmoil. Let's not forget Papua. We ask the churches to have empathy, solidarity, and pray for them. We invite the people to be more contemplative. In a place where Christmas took place thousands of years ago, it is now being torn apart and there is a process of dehumanization and destruction of humanity. We, the people, invite you to celebrate Christmas without being excessive. We must celebrate Christmas with solidarity and high release from the dynamics of conflict and war and disasters in various regions and parts of the world.

So we empathize with many events globally, but our actions are prioritized at the local level?

Yes, we must act at the level closest to us. There is still violence in our region. Maybe even something happens in our households and families. The call of Christmas is truly a call for solidarity, a call for concern that we manifest in various forms and capacities that we have. If our capacity is only to pray, pray earnestly.

Earlier you said that celebrating Christmas does not need to be excessive, how is the implementation?

The theme of Christmas 2024 issued by the PGI and KWI (Indonesian Bishops' Conference) is Let Us Go to Bethlehem. This has a very deep reflection. Bethlehem is a small and simple place. A place that is not great compared to Jerusalem or Rome as the center of government at that time. Bethlehem reminds us of what is conveyed in the Old Testament. A small city was chosen to be great. So, all elements of Christmas must emphasize the importance of the perfect. God who comes in the form of a small baby who is laid in a manger and wrapped in swaddling clothes. These are all symbols of ease. God who is solid with humans. And simply not measured solely by the materials we use. Most importantly, the point is centered on the heart. God who approaches and expresses his perfect love, which is unconditional and without limits. That is the great importance that we must accept and be grateful for. And we realize this in our relationships with fellow human beings and the environment.

This is the essence of Christmas, not eating and drinking or the party?

Along the way, Christmas has undergone extraordinary changes. And that shifts us from the true nature of Christmas which should bring us perfect joy. That we are cared for by God who is in solidarity taking part in our appearance. This is something that anchors our joy and gratitude at Christmas. Build it in our contemplative attitude and we manifest it in simple and meaningful relationships with others in need. Let us not get caught up in the noise and commercialization of Christmas that makes people only noisy and lose the true meaning of Christmas.

How does the church coordinate with the security forces to maintain security during this year's Christmas celebration?

On a comprehensive scale, the church must always coordinate with the surrounding environment. If the church can be a friend to other communities in everyday life, there is no need to wait for a special event; spontaneity will emerge. Therefore, many mass organizations, even without the church's request, come and offer themselves to maintain security, etc. I think that is a basic character in our cultural togetherness: visiting, guarding, and maintaining each other. There are indeed special cases to be monitored, such as violence and intolerance. I think that in the celebration of Christmas, the church has internal security, and we also entrust it to the security forces who do have the task of securing annual celebrations such as Christmas. In the brotherhood of the nation with non-Christian communities, we maintain togetherness. They can help maintain security during Christmas.

Indonesia is a diverse country. From Maluku, Bung Jacky's hometown, what can be adopted to maintain diversity in scope?

Indonesia is very large. We cannot claim cases of intolerance that appear in the media and conclude that Indonesia is like that. Here there is intolerance in the construction of houses of worship, but in other places, the construction of houses of worship is celebrated throughout the faith. That is a celebration of religiousness that is worth noting. In my hometown it is like that.

However, we have also had bloody conflicts. That is an experience that must not be repeated by us and any group in this country. Learn from the bitterness and impact that we reap from the inter-religious conflict. We also have good examples of how to resolve conflicts, make peace, and rebuild social integrity. Building a community that is brotherly and cares for each other, even with different faith backgrounds. We use various media for that. Young people use art; We solve various humanitarian problems together. This is an effort to repay past debts, conflicts that divide society.

So there are many things that can be the glue of the existing diversity?

Yes, there are so many in our daily lives, sometimes we don't realize it. Other people see it as something expensive. For example, silaturahim; we have many local terms for that word. When used, we have a social responsibility to carry it out.

Recently, there have also been disasters in various places; floods in Sukabumi, Karawang, and other areas, Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki in NTT erupted, and many others. What are the churches doing to help victims of these natural disasters?

PGI has a special unit to deal with disasters. For the disaster in West Java, we went all out, working together and networking with humanitarian institutions, including from other religious institutions. That is interfaith work. The church is called and even practiced since the beginning of Christianity. When the pandemic occurred in the Roman Empire, many residents were displaced. The role of Christians in providing assistance is recorded historically, even when the church was in a difficult position. That is the basic principle adopted by the church. So that in a disaster, the church must really consolidate its capacity to provide assistance to those in need. This is also what the church and Christian communities do when a disaster occurs in this country. Religious, ethnic, and other backgrounds merge; all join hands to provide assistance. Indonesia is very well known as a generous country. It is okay to be noisy on the political stage, when facing a disaster, everything melts into one.

What is your Christmas message for the congregation as a pastor?

In this Christmas celebration, we must contemplate deeply. This year's Christmas theme invites us to Bethlehem, not to Rome or to the mall. That is the way to find the authenticity of ourselves, our families. As people who are unworthy but loved, as people who are unworthy but God cares. That must be the basis for us to fill our lives with abundant joy. Because only those who believe that they are loved, are able to share genuine love, for others in need. This Christmas event is to find that we are truly loved, cared for, accompanied, and befriended by God who comes simply in the form of a small baby in a manger. This must be an event for every family and individual. A pilgrimage of faith that gives us the strength to stand in the most difficult situations, while also giving us the determination to share and be a blessing.

Everyone should be an example for the surrounding environment?

Yes, start peace from ourselves, our families. We can easily flow it because it has become a character. We can share it with the surrounding environment from the smallest. No need for something big, luxurious, and so on. Start from the small. Someone asks, I have nothing, how can I share? God equips us with everything to be a blessing to others.

There are people who are not heard, shunned. When we come and provide our ears to listen to their complaints, it can be an extraordinary blessing. There are people who are shunned because they are disgusted and no one wants to shake hands with them. When we come and match that person, it will be an extraordinary blessing. The small kindness that we do can have a big impact. If we practice this and incubate it in the midst of the family to care for each other, share peace, and manage justice, then we have strong capital to share it outside.

What are your hopes for world leaders so that several areas that are still in conflict can be peaceful?

Leaders must practice self-restraint and implement it in concrete actions. Conflict occurs when people overstep their boundaries, take what they want, and take what they need from others. This can happen in territorial disputes, economic disputes, and so on. When people become greedy and can't control themselves, the potential for conflict will arise.

Try to see the conflict from the victim's perspective, don't just put your own ego first. The impact of everything that is mismanaged is the loss of countless victims. As a result, trauma is created that takes a long time to recover. The existing social gap must be viewed with empathy. Christmas invites us to enter into a very deep contemplation of humanity, to face Him who comes. From that question, we must formulate an answer: where do we go next in our relationship with others and the environment?

Merry Christmas 2024 and Happy New Year 2025 to viewers, readers, and VOI lovers. Hopefully this Christmas we can find complete peace and share with others, whatever our background. Let's make Indonesia a peaceful, just, and safe home for all of us. Hopefully VOI will become the voice of nationality, the voice of humanity and the voice of love. May God be with you.

Pastor Jacklevyn Frits Manuputty, Walking from Cipinang to Salemba

There is one thing that Pastor Jacklevyn Frits Manuputty did not find when he rode a motorbike from his residence in Cipinang, East Jakarta, to the PGI (Communion of Churches in Indonesia) Office in Salemba, Central Jakarta. Therefore, he sometimes goes to his office on foot. While exercising, he can take pictures of interesting things he finds on the way.

“My hobby is walking. That’s why I often go to the PGI office on foot. While walking, I can see and take pictures of unique things along the way,” said the man born in Haruku, Maluku, July 20, 1965.

The distance from his residence in Cipinang to Salemba is approximately 7 km. If using a motorbike, the trip takes about 20 minutes with smooth road conditions. However, walking takes about 90 minutes.

This is what he does to maintain his physical fitness. “I usually walk very early in the morning. Along the way, I often stop at Jatinegara Market to see the animal market and the lives of the people there. Sometimes I take pictures of unique animals for sale, bananas, fruits, vegetables, and others. I upload the results on social media. During the 1.5 hour trip, I found many interesting things,” said Bung Jacky, who also likes to visit fish markets. There, he enjoys capturing various fish and seafood for sale, as well as the hustle and bustle of sellers and buyers.

Not only in the morning, sometimes he walks at night. He can witness the life of the community that continues to move even though it is late at night. “When most Jakarta residents are tired and asleep, it turns out that there are still those who are struggling to find a morsel of rice. Or there is a husband and wife with their child waiting at the cart. I can see that clearly if I walk. If I ride a motorized vehicle, I can only see a glimpse,” said the man who can be called Jacky Manuputty.

Peace Provocateur

When Jacklevyn Frits Manuputty uploaded human interest themed photos about unique and touching life in Jakarta, many of his colleagues in cyberspace responded. “In fact, I challenged my friends to upload their own versions of photos found wherever they are. It could be a small reflection in our lives. That there are other people whose lives are not as fortunate as ours. That there are other activities that we may not have known about,” said the alumnus of the Jakarta Theological College (1984-1989).

He also had a similar experience while on duty in Ambon. “At that time, there was the Jakarta gubernatorial election which was full of news about Ahok and other candidates. Those of us who live in Maluku were surprised, how come the atmosphere was also felt even though we were far away. Finally, we made a counter-narrative with the theme Peace Provocateur. So, the photos we uploaded told the beauty and harmony of Maluku’s nature. It turned out that many people participated and it went viral. "Those who participated were not only Maluku people, but also outsiders," said Jacky, who studied at the Driyarkara Philosophy College (STFD) in Jakarta (1990-1994).

According to Jacky, something that is a hoax or provocation can be fought with a counter-narrative in the same media. Many people do not want to be provoked and choose to support the counter-hoax campaign.

Theater and Film

In the early 1990s, Jacky had time to “study” at Teater Populer in Kebon Pala, Jakarta, which was founded by Teguh Karya. He was also active in Teater Bahtera which was managed by PGI. “At that time, Teguh Karya was disappointed with the commercialization in the film world, he no longer wanted to make films and focused on the world of theater. I participated in the theater with Idris Sardi, Didi Petet, Alex Komang, Slamet Rahardjo, and others,” said the actor in the film Cahaya dari Timur.

Jacky appeared in the film at the request of the late Glenn Fredly. “The film tells about peace in Maluku with a football background,” said Jacky, who played the role of a football administrator. However, he did not have the chance to appear in the biopic of Glenn Fredly even though there was a true story about him.

He often brought his theater activities into church activities. “In fact, when there was a church event in Sangihe Talaud, I was immediately asked to play a role in a story made by the committee. I just spontaneously joined in. "Eh, continuing at the church meeting in Balikpapan, I was asked to dance," said the man who created the Bambu Gila and Lentera dances.

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Despite being busy with church and organizational activities, Jacky always makes time for his extended family. “At the agreed time, we gather. At that time, cellphones were not allowed to be used and everyone was gathered in one place. The goal was to create pure togetherness. How come we have met, still busy with our respective cellphones. Family is everything to me, because family is a place to learn, practice, grow faith, and train sensitivity,” said Pastor Jacklevyn Frits Manuputty.

"Only those who believe that they are loved are able to share true love for others in need. This Christmas event is to discover that we are truly loved, cared for, accompanied, and befriended by God who came simply in the form of a little baby in a manger.,"